The use of online bulletin boards by females in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Mobile Media & Communication

Abdelaziz

2017

Self Cite

This study explores motives for taking and posting selfies on social media and whether those motives and other social psychological dispositions predict the selfie-related activities of “taking,” “posting,” and “editing” selfies. A sample of 404 university students in Kuwait indicated they took and posted selfies for motives of appraisal-seeking self-presentation (ASSP), entertainment, status-updating self-presentation (SUSP) and documentation. Females were more likely to be involved in selfie-related activities and to use selfies for ASSP. Documentation was the prime predictor of the activity of “taking” selfies, SUSP was for “posting” selfies, and ASSP was for “editing” selfies. Self-perceived attractiveness predicted the activities of “posting” and “taking” selfies. Results are discussed in light of the influence of culture in Kuwait and some conceptual considerations about selfies are made.

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selfie-taking motives and social psychological dispositions as predictors of selfie-related activities among university students in Kuwait

Mobile Media & Communication

Abdelaziz

2017

Self Cite

“…The nature of media systems in the Arab world shapes the political U&G of media in the region (Sharif & Al-Kandari, 2010). In democracies, the values of liberalism and free speech have had an impact on the discourse and practice of media outlets to provide uncensored information, act as watchdogs over authorities, present varying points of view in discussion programs, and frequently offer objective coverage of news and issues.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Egypt 5 Years After the Revolution

Hasanen

2017

Electronic News

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This study employs the uses and gratifications perspective to examine the motives that led a sample of 466 university students in Egypt to view television news and political programs and whether those motives and the frequency of exposure to media predict political efficacy, support for democracy, and political cynicism. The outcomes revealed that motives for viewing were Support in Discussions, Watchdog on Government, Reinforcement, Opinion Formation, Information, and the Free Marketplace of Information. Although Support in Discussions predicted political efficacy and the Free Marketplace of Information negatively predicted it, levels of prediction were not powerful. Support for democracy was weakly predicted by Information, Support in Discussions, the Free Marketplace of Information, and Watchdog on Government. Political cynicism was not predicted by any media variables. The motives for media use are discussed in relation to the political psyche of Egyptians and the political conditions affecting Egypt after the revolution.

“…Culturally, such relationships 'blacken the face' of the family and bring dishonor (Patai, 2007). Sharif and Al-Kandari (2010) claim that online bulletin boards enable females in the Arab Gulf region to communicate with males. They also reveal that these bulletin boards allow females to ask questions and address issues they do not feel comfortable asking or addressing in normal social surroundings.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also reveal that these bulletin boards allow females to ask questions and address issues they do not feel comfortable asking or addressing in normal social surroundings. Also, the use of bulletin boards predicts that the user will endorse equal social gender roles in the Arab Gulf countries (Sharif and Al-Kandari, 2010). Rogers (2003) categorizes the consequences of the adoption of innovation into desirable and undesirable, direct and indirect, anticipated and unanticipated.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatwa and the internet: a study of the influence of Muslim religious scholars on internet diffusion in Saudi Arabia

Dashti

2014

Prometheus

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This study uses diffusion of innovations theory to examine the influence of Muslim religious scholars on internet diffusion in Saudi Arabia. It applies content analysis to the fatwa, the religious edicts that Muslim religious scholars issue, to explore fatwa decisions relating to the internet since its launch in Saudi Arabia in 1999. There are 34 fatwa in total, 11 with approving decisions, 11 with disapproving ones, and 12 with conditionally approving decisions. Those who issue approving fatwa argue that it helps to spread the word of Allah and that if Muslims do not exploit the opportunities provided by the internet, then non-Muslims and non-believers will use it for evil. To explain their disapproving fatwa, other scholars argue that the internet corrupts people. The study discusses the impact of religion and religious scholars on the dissemination of communication technologies in Saudi society. It also predicts a pattern of opinions that scholars may be expected to adopt on the introduction of any new communication technology that is culturally controversial.